Colonials Drop Heartbreaker to Terrapins

Maryland walks-off with a 6-5 win

COLLEGE PARK, MD - George Washington University (0-4) tallied 11 hits and five runs, but lost 6-5 on a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to Maryland (5-2) at Shipley Field Friday afternoon.

The two teams entered the final frame tied with five runs apiece after GW failed to score in their half of the ninth inning. Freshman RHP Scott Swinson retired the leadoff batter, but a GW error allowed Terrapin Dan Melvin to reach first. Another defensive miscue by the Colonials, this time a passed ball, sent Melvin all the way to third and into scoring position. The very next batter, Gerry Spessard, drove a single into right field that scored Melvin and left GW searching for their first win of the young season.

The game began with GW scoring three runs in the first inning, equaling their output from all three games combined last weekend at #7 Virginia. The Colonials recorded four hits in the opening inning, including a single by hot-hitting freshman Curtis Eward that plated two runs. For Eward, who is 6-11 (.545) on the season, those two RBI were the first of his collegiate career.

The Colonials would add one run each in both the fifth and sixth innings. Parker finished the day 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored. Freshman Tom Zebroski added three hits to go along with a run and an RBI.

Pat Lehman made his second start of the season for GW, scattering nine hits over seven innings while surrendering five runs, four earned. He finished with five strike outs and one walk allowed. Swinson (0-1) was tagged with the loss but allowed just one hit to the nine batters he faced. Maryland starter Casey Baron (2-0) lasted five innings, yielding four runs on nine hits.

In an effort to beat the impending inclement weather forecasted for Sunday, the two teams will play a double-header on Saturday. The first game is scheduled for an 11:30 a.m. start. Game two will begin one half hour after the final out of the opener.